Devotional for October 2017

“The eternal God is thy refuge – and underneath are the everlasting arms…”

“Looking unto Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith – who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross – despising the shame – and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [Deu.33:27; Heb.12:2]

Here are two descriptive declarations from the Word of God. The two were made in completely different times in the course of the history of redemption. Nevertheless, these two statements are speaking of one and the same person. The first declaration comes from the Holy Spirit inspired writings of Moses (circa 1451BC) and the second, from Holy Spirit inspired epistle to the Hebrews (circa 61AD).

The verse from Deuteronomy describes immutable God of truly having “no variableness – neither shadow of turning” [Jas.1:17]. In Him we are eternally secure – and upheld with His Almighty arms! Whereas, the verse from Hebrews describes the incarnated eternal Savior and Son of God, Jesus – who is, indeed, indwelt “with all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” [Col.2:9]. In Him all of God’s eternally loved and chosen and blessed in Christ have been placed from before the foundation of the world! Praise His Name!

The Deuteronomy text declares the unchangeable triune God as being the eternal habitation of His people – His redeemed ones. The text from Hebrews 12 declares the Lord Jesus Christ – the only sovereign Savior substitute that there ever was, is, or ever will be – as being the beginning and the end – the alpha and the omega – of our faith – of our truly believing in Him for our eternal salvation.

The Deuteronomy passage comes to us from Moses – who was an Old Testament type of Christ. Remember when God through Moses told the Israelites that He would raise up from their midst a prophet like Moses? God said, “unto Him – ye shall hearken” [De.18:15]. Then three verses later He told Moses again: “I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren – like unto thee – and will put my words in His mouth, and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him.” There’s no doubt about it, beloved, that prophet – like Moses – that God raised up – was Jesus!

The incarnated eternal Son of God – whom our history recognizes as being in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ is “the author and finisher of our faith” – just as He.12:2 declares Him to be!

It is He – according to Phil.2:6-8 – the Word says: “who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God (7) but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (8) and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death – even the death of the cross!”

The Hebrews 12 passage clarifies for us – by telling us that Jesus “for the joy that was set before Him – endured the cross – despising the shame – and is set down at the right hand of God.” So, therefore, our victory is, indeed, in Jesus. We should sing that hymn at the top of our voices! He has done it all – and all our praise and love is due Him! The throne from which He rules over us is a throne of grace. “There is therefore, now, no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus – who walk not after the flesh – but after the Spirit!” [Ro.8:1] Having successfully purged our sins – our Savior sat down. Our eternal refuge is, indeed, in Him and in Him alone. Glory to His Name!

-For Christ’s Glory Only!

John Carpenter

Sovereign Grace Fellowship Breakfast

Meeting every two weeks on Saturday morning

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: Golden Corral, Independence MO

Bible study, prayer, and breakfast buffet! Contact John Carpenter at 277-7071 for more information.